SimplyAbuDhabi IX

A fter our delicious meal at St. Regis Saadiyat Island’s Sontaya, we decided to head back to the hotel the following night to try Turquoiz, the hotel’s new beachfront restaurant. As the venue’s name suggests, Turquoiz refers to the magnificent turquoise blue ocean that surrounds Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. The restaurant is set on a large sunset terrace, set apart from the hotel as a series of rustic buildings strung out along the sand. We took our seats and marveled once again at the stunning views as the sun went down around us. When our friendly waiter brought forth the menu, he explained that the restaurant served a selection of seafood, light meals and snacks. It was certainly an intriguing mix of culinary delights, clearly prepared with simplicity and passion. Whether you’re watching a sunrise or sunset, this venue is all about sand, sun and serenity. Boogie boarders and swimmers alike trek to Turquoiz to enjoy the start or the finish to their day. The restaurant has the capacity to hold up to 300 people indoors and on the outdoor terrace. Specialising in fresh seafood prepared by Chef Ishtiaq Mirza, the venue also offers signature cocktails and lounge music played by resident DJ Masako, who gradually ups the tempo as the evening progresses. We perused the menu and decided on a selection of starters including tuna tartare, made with tomato consommé and squid ink dressing, and a tomato and goat cheese dish. The tuna tartare was light and delicious, while the goat cheese served as a creamy juxtaposition to the ripe tomatoes. Summery fare, these dishes whetted our palette for our main course. Jordana decided on the Seared Halibut with crabmeat stuffed macaroni and tomato salsa. I watched her as she tried the dish and saw the big smile that followed thereafter. Rich, creamy and rustic, the fresh halibut provided a nice juxtaposition to the scrumptious crabmeat macaroni. I, on the other hand, opted for the mixed grilled seafood platter. An abundant plate of a wide assortment of different fish and creatures of the sea soon arrived before me and I slowly chose which one to eat first. Once again, I was impressed by the freshness as well as the presentation of the dish. We watched the sun set down around us, and soon atmospheric lights illuminated the venue. We were so pleased with the ambiance and the food that we didn’t realize howmuch time had passed. On to the sweet part of our meal – we chose the Chocolate Texture:’ a decadently chocolatey crunchy sponge, lashed with frozen bitter chocolate dust, caramel sauce, chocolate mousseux and cocoa nib tuile. We were in heaven. Luxurious and understated elegance, stunning views, and terrific cuisine makes Turquoiz the perfect evening spot, one you can return to time and again. 6 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I